Grassroots ● Nov 07, 2023
FAS Girl Cubs Programme 2023 Season concluded
Participants taking part in a friendly small-sided game, 29 October 2023.
SINGAPORE, 7 NOVEMBER 2023 – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) recently concluded its FAS Girl Cubs Programme last Sunday (29 October), after a successful season that saw participation from young girls with diverse backgrounds and skill levels.
First established in 2015 as an extension of the Cubs programme, the grassroots football development programme is aimed to promote football and increase participation among girls between the ages of eight and 12, in the sport through play. Throughout the past month, every Sunday since 10 September, the girls progressed through various stations that focused on teaching both fundamental and technical skills, including small-sided games, 1v1 drills, and ball mastery exercises.
A father playing football with her daughter in the parent-child bonding session, 29 October 2023.
On their last day of the Girl Cubs programme,, parents were invited down to the pitch to join their daughters for the session. They underwent obstacle courses and drills where teamwork and communication between the parent-child duo were tested. The season ended with lots of fun and laughter for both the parent and their child.
Mr. Yap Mong Soon was thrilled to see his 11-year-old daughter, Valerie Yap, in action. He shared his thoughts, saying: “As a parent, I appreciate the opportunities the FAS Girls Cubs Programme provided for us to play together during parent-child bonding sessions in an all-girls setting. It’s been an amazing experience, and my daughter continues to be enthusiastic about this sport. She will be continuing her lessons with AFA Queenstown, and we’ve even registered for the AFA Girls Program at Clementi Stadium. She made new friends at the FAS Girl Cubs Programme and intend to stay connected via WhatsApp. This program has been excellent and a great opportunity for girls to learn about football”.
The programme has received great feedback from parents, coaches and participants alike, 29 October 2023.
Ms Megalai, whose two 12-year-old twin daughters Neha and Nishka Sundar, reflected similar sentiments: The football program has been a significant influence on my daughters’ attitudes towards the sport. She has been playing football since Primary 1 in 2018, and even though we had to pause due to COVID and focus on the PSLE this year, her love for football remains strong.
She also said that it was “heartening” to see more girls participating as compared six years ago, adding: “I encourage more parents to sign up for the program because it not only provides a great form of exercise but also teaches kids to play as a team and improve communication skills, which is especially important in a generation where kids spend a lot of time exercising their fingers on mobile devices. I believe the program should continue, and it could be even better if there were tournaments between different girl clubs.”
Nurhidayu (third from left) was among the young Lionesses from the Under-16 and Under-19 national teams that has been attending the event, 29 October 2023.
National footballer Nurhidayu Naszri was among the young Lionesses from the Under-16 and Under-19 national teams were also present, providing inspiration and mentorship to the girls. The 19-year-old midfielder shared her heartwarming experience with the girls: “I’ve been attending the program for 4 sessions, and so far, it’s been a very positive experience. One of the best things I’ve experienced and learned in this program is the chance to share my knowledge with the young girls who have a passion for football. Guiding them during the program has been incredibly rewarding, especially when they come back the following week and show me what they’ve learned. It feels like a success, and as a first-time coach, it boosted my confidence.
She also hoped that the girls will continue playing the sport: “My hopes for the girls in the program are that they continue playing football and apply what they’ve learned. These girls are all talented, and I hope they don’t stop here. I encourage them to keep working hard, and I look forward to seeing some of them on the field in the future.
Technical Director Mr Michael Browne concluded: “Marking the conclusion of our program, our primary aim has always been to offer young girls an environment where fun and enjoyment take precedence. One of our core objectives is to boost participation levels among young Singaporean girls, and we believe that programmes like this one have played a significant role in achieving that goal. We hope that many of these girls continue their football journey afterwards within local academies, providing them with the chance to train and play regularly. We strongly encourage parents to reach out to one of the FAS accredited academies and consider enrolling their daughters.”
This installment of the FAS Girl Cubs programme will serve as a lead-up towards the FAS U12 Girls Festival, which will be happening on Friday, 10 November 2023, at Jalan Besar Stadium.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
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